In August 2008 I opened up a shop on Etsy. It started as a way to keep myself busy while looking for a job. Now, it has become my job and I love it. It really is a dream come true being able to create beautiful items for people all across the country.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Hi everyone. I want to thank every one for their patience. I am so sorry that I have not posted the winner before now. This past month has been one thing after another. I am finally getting over being sick and things are falling back into their normal routine.

Anyway, I have picked a winner for the Brandi Thompson Photography Giveaway! The winning comment was lucky number 3!!!! TeddyStartedIt is the winner! I will be contacting you for your information and I will then get it to Brandi.

Thank you all so much. And if you didn't win...Go check out Brandi's site and keep her in mind for any upcoming photo needs, she is awesome at what she does!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

A couple weeks ago I finally had a chance to make a new background for taking photos. I have been wanting to make it for the past two months but never had a chance. It still needs a little bit of 'editing' but I think it is working well so far.

I found a big piece of wood in my garage and I used some of the left over turf from my craft show display. I think the 'cloud' background needs some more variation in color and some more depth..maybe making something 3D on it. This weekend went by way too fast otherwise I would have worked on it a bit more.

It looks fine from far away but in the actual product photos it whites it out too much.

YAY For Astro Turf. I like that I can just take it off the table and shake off anything that gets on it. I end up having to edit out a lot less fuzzballs that make their way into the picture.

Here is a bouquet I took of picture of this weekend with the new background.

What are your thoughts on my background? Do you think it helps me stand out at all?

Friday, November 6, 2009

I have a very special giveaway this week! I will be jealous of the winner! The only catch with this giveaway is that you must live in the Dallas area (25 miles within Plano, TX to be exact). Or willing to travel to Plano if you live a bit out of that range. I can tell you right now, it would be well worth it. Anyway, scroll down and read the great interview with Brandi and check out some of her work.

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Please Introduce yourself:

My name is Brandi Thompson, and I live with my husband Brian, and our four “kids” (three cats and a dog) in Plano, TX. I am a full time photographer, and a general lover of the arts!

Can you tell me a little bit about your business? When did you start? How you got started, etc.

I focus on wedding and lifestyle photography with a fun, organic ‘rockstar’ approach. I am a big believer in capturing moments as they happen, and customizing photos to each client, instead of fitting my clients into a specified mold.

I have loved photography for a long time. My father actually did photography in high school, and I just grew up with an appreciation for it. For years I would take pictures of my friends just for fun, and because I enjoyed making people feel good about themselves. I was previously in school, and ran into the situation that I needed a flexible income so that I could work and still go to school. I started my business in January of 2008, and it’s been growing steadily since then. As of May 2009, I am no longer attending school – having made the decision to focus solely on my business.

How would you describe your creative process? Ever get in a creative rut? How to you get past that rut?

I really let my clients’ personality dictate where I go with their session. I have a slew of places to shoot at, and I try to mix it up as often as possible. I discuss exactly the kind of feel my clients are going for, and then we just kind of go and have a lot of fun. I don’t approach anything with calculation. When I start to feel a little dry on the creativity side, I will often play around with still life objects or landscape photos. It’s generally easier to try new perspectives on an object instead of a person.

What is a typical day like for you?

Honestly, I don’t have a really set schedule. I try and make a list of things I need to get done on the specific day, and then tackle the list. Some days it’s hours of sitting in front of my computer editing photos, burning CDs, packaging prints, answering emails – things like that. I take breaks by taking the dog out to play or taking him for a walk. I also take computer breaks by working on various household chores. All in all, it’s not terribly exciting but, at least I get to wear pajamas.

No, not really. I have always known that I am an artist, and that whatever I did with my life – it would be based in art. I’ve been creating things in some fashion since I was a small child, and I will be that way until the day I die. I have had an active interest in photography since I was young, and I can definitely see myself doing this for the long term.

Are there any fun tidbits about you, your business or life in general you would like to share?

I am a very passionate person. I love what I do, and I am thankful everyday that I get to have one of the greatest jobs on the planet. I have wanted to run my own business since I was old enough to grasp the concept, and it’s amazing to realize a lifelong dream. Outside of photography and the arts, I also love music (hence my rockstar vibe!), dancing, animals, fashion – especially shoes, books and lots of geeky things. I am a long time vegetarian and I have a slew of stuffed animals on my desk that I refer to as my ‘employees’. I am unabashedly dorky, but it’s just part of being honest.

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Up for grabs?

I would like to offer the readers a free lifestyle photo session of their choice. It can be a couples session, senior, bridal/trash the dress, family, children…whatever they’d like.

We will discuss their vision and find the perfect location. Most sessions last between one and two hours.

Within a few weeks of the session, proofs will be available in a private gallery with a 10% off on anything purchased in the first ten days.

I live in Plano, so the winner will need to be in a 25 mile radius of Plano, or willing to come this way if they live a little further out.

To Enter: Make sure to look at Brandi's website and blog, she posts some great sessions on there! Come back and tell me how you would use your photo session if you won! Also, leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Earn Extra Entries: (Leave a comment for each extra entry)
1. Follow my blog. Or let me know if you are already a follower
2. Follow Brandi's Twitter
3. Blog about this giveaway (Leave the link)
4. Post a message on Twitter about the giveaway (Make sure to include @rbkcreations in your tweet)

The winner will be picked on November 24th, 12pm CST. The winner will be notified by email. It will also be posted on this blog. Please make sure your email address is accurate. If no email address is provided I will draw another name. The winner will have 48 hours to provide us with their contact information and location.